Former Goa RSS chief goes 'absconding' after FIR over remarks on St Francis Xavier
Panaji: Goa Police have stated that Subhash Velingkar, the former Goa unit chief of the RSS, is currently "absconding" after an FIR was registered against him for his remarks on St Francis Xavier, triggering widespread protests across the state. Raids are being conducted to trace his whereabouts.
The FIR was lodged at North Goa’s Bicholim police station on Friday night based on a complaint filed by AAP MLA Cruz Silva. According to the FIR, the accused, with "malicious intentions," made a speech that allegedly outraged the religious feelings and insulted the beliefs of the complainant, his religious community, and others.
Following Velingkar’s statement calling for a "DNA test" of the relics of St Francis Xavier, revered as the patron saint of Goa, at least half a dozen complaints were filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and disrupting communal harmony. The FIR has been registered under section 299 of BNS (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Protests erupted on Friday, with over 300 people, including leaders from Congress and AAP, gathering outside the police station in Margao, demanding Velingkar's arrest. On Saturday, protesters blocked roads in Margao, Anjuna, and Old Goa, prompting the police to resort to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. The protesters issued an ultimatum, threatening to block the Zuari Bridge if the accused is not arrested soon.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed for calm and urged people not to block roads. “Whatever action was taken [in the case] against Fr Bolmax [Pereira], similar action will be applied for Velingkar,” said Sawant.
Fr Bolmax Pereira, the parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, was booked last year for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a sermon.
The Congress party released a statement emphasising the importance of maintaining Goa’s unique identity of communal harmony and urged the government to preserve this "sensitive fabric" of peace and respect. BJP Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo also criticised Velingkar, stating, “St Francis Xavier is a saint revered by people from all religions. People like Velingkar make such statements just to gain limelight and create rifts between communities.”
Velingkar was previously removed from the RSS in 2016. As of now, the police are continuing their efforts to locate him.Former Goa RSS chief goes 'absconding' after FIR over remarks on St Francis Xavier
Panaji: Goa Police have stated that Subhash Velingkar, the former Goa unit chief of the RSS, is currently "absconding" after an FIR was registered against him for his remarks on St Francis Xavier, triggering widespread protests across the state. Raids are being conducted to trace his whereabouts.
The FIR was lodged at North Goa’s Bicholim police station on Friday night based on a complaint filed by AAP MLA Cruz Silva. According to the FIR, the accused, with "malicious intentions," made a speech that allegedly outraged the religious feelings and insulted the beliefs of the complainant, his religious community, and others.
Following Velingkar’s statement calling for a "DNA test" of the relics of St Francis Xavier, revered as the patron saint of Goa, at least half a dozen complaints were filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and disrupting communal harmony. The FIR has been registered under section 299 of BNS (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Protests erupted on Friday, with over 300 people, including leaders from Congress and AAP, gathering outside the police station in Margao, demanding Velingkar's arrest. On Saturday, protesters blocked roads in Margao, Anjuna, and Old Goa, prompting the police to resort to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. The protesters issued an ultimatum, threatening to block the Zuari Bridge if the accused is not arrested soon.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed for calm and urged people not to block roads. “Whatever action was taken [in the case] against Fr Bolmax [Pereira], similar action will be applied for Velingkar,” said Sawant.
Fr Bolmax Pereira, the parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, was booked last year for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a sermon.
The Congress party released a statement emphasising the importance of maintaining Goa’s unique identity of communal harmony and urged the government to preserve this "sensitive fabric" of peace and respect. BJP Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo also criticised Velingkar, stating, “St Francis Xavier is a saint revered by people from all religions. People like Velingkar make such statements just to gain limelight and create rifts between communities.”
Velingkar was previously removed from the RSS in 2016. As of now, the police are continuing their efforts to locate him.
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Mangaluru’s Karavali Utsava is back; Cultural, beach events lined up, here’s the complete schedule
Mangaluru: This year’s Karavali Utsava will commence on December 20, with a wide range of cultural, adventure, and tourism-focused programs planned across Mangaluru and other parts of the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.
He was speaking while presiding over a Karavali Utsava preparedness review meeting held at the District Commissioner’s office.
The main event will be held at the Karavali Utsava grounds in the city. In an effort to promote beach tourism, special programs will be organised at six beaches across the district, which include Panambur, Ullal, Someshwara, Sasihitlu, Tannirbhavi, and the Blue Flag Beach.
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Outlining the schedule, the Deputy Commissioner said adventure sports will be held at Sasihitlu Beach, while a wine, cheese, and cake festival will take place at the Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach.
A music festival and triathlon are planned at Tannirbhavi Beach. Football, volleyball and other sports events will be organised at Ullal Beach, cultural programs at Panambur Beach, and a music evening and yoga program at Someshwara Beach.
In addition, food festivals featuring a variety of local and regional cuisines will be held at all beaches. The Kala Parba program and a flower and floriculture exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park, while a film festival is also planned in Mangaluru city.
A football tournament will be held at Nehru Maidan on December 27 and 28, and special programs will be organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama. To attract tourists, helicopter joyrides have also been arranged, the Deputy Commissioner said.
The review meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun H.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa, and other officials.
